Fabric

April 24, 2013
Posted in
April 24, 2013 casper

We are interested in innovations with potential to scale in 2 years, as well as game-changing early stage technologies and prototypes. Innovations can be business models, financial instruments, technologies and programs that accelerate research, education and capacity building.

Specifically, LAUNCH System: Fabric seeks innovations in: 

  • The materials of which fabrics are made with a focus on positive social and environmental impact:
Multi-purpose synthetic and bio-synthetic materials

Multi-purpose synthetic and
bio-synthetic materials.
Smart and/or self-healing materials

Smart and/or self-healing
materials.
Technical fabrics with novel or surprising attributes

Technical fabrics with novel or
surprising attributes.
Fabrics that efficiently and effectively enable recycling

Fabrics that efficiently and
effectively enable recycling.
Applications that eliminate toxins in fabrics

Applications that eliminate
toxins in fabrics.
Low or positive environmental impact feedstocks

Low or positive environmental
impact “feedstocks.”
Models that accelerate the development of low or positive environmental impact fabrics

Models that accelerate the
development of low or positive
environmental impact fabrics.
 
Data generation and capture technologies and mechanisms that enable traceability across a product or fabric’s lifecycle

Data generation and capture
technologies and mechanisms
that enable traceability across
a product or fabric’s lifecycle.
Decision support and educational tools that guide positive impact design and inform better choices of chemistries and materials

Decision support and educational
tools that guide positive impact
design and inform better choices
of chemistries and materials.
Open technology platforms to enable sharing, collaboration, contribution and unlimited accessibility to data that improves the analysis of sustainability impacts and stimulates an open data ecosystem

Open technology platforms to
enable sharing, collaboration,
contribution and unlimited
accessibility to data that improves
the analysis of sustainability
impacts and stimulates an open
data ecosystem.
  • The “making” or manufacturing of fabrics utilizing low or positive environmental impact approaches, with a bias toward inclusive business models that positively develop human capital, respect rights and deliver shared value:
Solutions that increase energy, water, and raw material efficiency in the manufacturing process

Solutions that increase energy,
water, and raw material efficiency
in the manufacturing process.

Scalable innovative business models that are sustainable and equitable

Scalable innovative business
models that are sustainable
and equitable.

Programs that support local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise inclusion across the system of fabrics

Programs that support local
Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprise inclusion across
the system of fabrics.
Zero waste or closed loop systems that eliminate waste and create equitable, empowered workforces

Zero waste or closed loop
systems that eliminate waste
and create equitable,
empowered workforces.
Solutions that put workers at the heart of the innovation process

Solutions that put workers at the
heart of the innovation process.

Manufacturing processes that reuse waste

Manufacturing processes that
reuse waste.

Manufacturing processes and technologies that enable maximum conversion of materials and minimum consumption of natural resources

Manufacturing processes and
technologies that enable
maximum conversion of
materials and minimum
consumption of natural
resources.
Information and data exchanges that build entrepreneurial capacity & worker inclusion, enabling greater participation in value chains

Information and data exchanges
that build entrepreneurial
capacity & worker inclusion,
enabling greater participation
in value chains.

Data generation and capture technologies and mechanisms to increase transparency across the value chain

Data generation and capture
technologies and mechanisms to
increase transparency across the
value chain.

Please note that innovation submissions need only match one of the points of interest described above, although submissions that match multiple points are also welcome.  

For more information on this challenge, download the LAUNCH SYSTEM: Fabric Challenge Statement  (Full Version, PDF) or go to the challenge submission website.  You do not have to be a US citizen to apply.

Read More: 

LAUNCH Systems Innovation Map

Material Patterns: Considering the Economic, Environmental, and Social Impacts of the Global Textiles Industry